The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has chosen Galen Poss, COO of dmg :: events, as the 2013 "Legend of the Industry" for this year’s IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, as well as recently formed a strategic partnership with the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, on tap June 11-13 in Chicago, to produce educational content.

The IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute, which provides professional development for a group of industry professionals who were selected by the Krakoff Leadership Institute Committee as the industry’s future leaders based on their application and extensive review, will be held Aug. 24-26 in Hilton Head, S.C.

For every institute, a ‘Legend of the Industry” is chosen based on their contributions, innovation and leadership and participants have the opportunity to interact face-to-face with this industry leader.

Poss previously was president of Hanley Wood Exhibitions, a division of Hanley-Wood, from its inception in January 2000 until June of 2009.

Prior to joining Hanley Wood Exhibitions, he spent six years as president of the Dallas Division of Miller Freeman.

Poss began his career in the trade show industry in 1977 in sales with the Greater New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission.

In 1983, he formed Precision Planning & Sales (PPS), Inc., an exhibitions management company, providing exhibition and conference services for associations.  Poss sold PPS to Miller Freeman in November of 1993.

"I am truly honored to have been selected as IAEE’s Legend of the Industry this year,” Poss said. “This industry has some of the best and brightest young professionals and entrepreneurs, and I look forward to meeting with these new leaders who will set the course for the industry for years to come.”

IAEE members and exhibitions and events industry professionals are invited to submit their applications through June 7. For more information, visit www.iaee.com/kli.

In other IAEE news, the organization has teamed with Reed Travel Exhibitions’ AIBTM to host education sessions in the show’s Learning Theatre at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

"We are very excited to partner with AIBTM on this key, strategic initiative," said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, IAEE president and CEO.

He added, "This collaboration emphasizes IAEE’s priority to help enrich and engage global meeting planners who are looking to extend their reach internationally."

Additionally, DuBois will be a part of an educational panel that will be taking place during the kick-off Education Day June 11. 


"We are thrilled to be working with IAEE," says Michael Lyons, AIBTM’s exhibition director. "To be able to offer our attendees the chance to learn from the leading trade show association is an important part of our mission to deliver on our show theme, ‘Defining the Future of Meetings… Together.’ IAEE’s contributions will be incredibly valuable, and we look forward to the insights their participation will bring to the AIBTM experience."